With health [...]]]> Over half of people with health insurance receive it through an employer sponsored group plan. It’s clear that employees put high value on this benefits which is why companies with group plans see a lower turn over rate. Having health insurance benefits also helps to attract well qualified applicants.

With health insurance premiums on the rise, it’s getting harder for employers to offer full benefits. Every little bit helps and since employees value the benefit, they’ll be more likely to stick around.

Not only will health insurance benefits attract qualified applications and keep them around for the long term, but all of the premiums an employer pays are generally tax deductible.

Zinn Insurance is here to help you find an employee group plan that is affordable and a great benefit to your employees.

One bad habit many of us are guilty of is eating on the run. It’s [...]]]> Enjoy your food but eat less. Most restaurant meals have oversized portions. Eat half and take the other half to go for a quick lunch the next day. It’s like getting two meals for one price!

One bad habit many of us are guilty of is eating on the run. It’s always best to sit down and enjoy your meal but eating on the run can be healthy too! It’s all about preparation…

Make a list of nearby restaurants that can not only offer something quick but can also offer something healthy! Keep that list of restaurants on your phone or in your car.

Here are a couple more quick tips for eating healthy on the go!

• Order the child-size portion or an appetizer since most restaurant meals give you way more then you need.
• Getting a sandwich? Load up on those vegetables! It’s a good way to fill up on the good stuff. Remember to choose a lean meat on your sandwich such as chicken or turkey.
• Pack a lunch in a container the night before so you can grab it on your way out in the morning. Soups and sandwiches are always an easy and healthy meal. Throw some snacks in there to keep hunger at bay in between meals. Nuts, peanut butter and crackers, and dried fruit are good options!

Have you discussed with your family your wishes if anything [...]]]> Even though April 16th has passed. It is still important to be aware of our responsibility for our healthcare decisions. National Healthcare Decisions Day is all about inspiring, educating, and empowering the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning.

Have you discussed with your family your wishes if anything unfortunate were to happen and you couldn’t make those decisions for yourself? Do you have a plan in place?

Did you know that 90% of Americans have heard of a living will, 71% have thought about their end-of-life preferences, but only 29% actually have a living will.

Watch this video from nhdd.org for help on things you can do today to prepare for the future. 

If your business hasn’t implemented a pre-taxing plan yet it is actually only requires a [...]]]> Pre-taxing group insurance benefits can be beneficial to businesses as well as it’s employees. Businesses can benefit by decreasing payroll taxes with Premium Only Plans (P.O.P). It can also save an employer 7.65% in FICA taxes…

If your business hasn’t implemented a pre-taxing plan yet it is actually only requires a minimal cost to get going. In the end, it will help your business to control your employees benefit costs. Your employees will be happy as well since it increases their take-home pay and reduces their federal, state, and social security taxes.

Interested in implementing a pre-tax on group insurance benefits? Feel free to email or give Zinn Insurance a call and we will get you started!

We received [...]]]>

Do you have any articles or can you summarize how Obama Care is going to affect those of us in risk pool / who can’t get other insurance? I can’t believe these premiums! I’m going to be paying almost $400 a month just to be able to have major medical coverage after $7500!!

We received this question from a client and hope that this article sheds some light on the situation. There is definitely a problem with what the estimated cost was for each participant which is leading to the higher medical costs and the budget is not practical. This article speaks about the numbers of enrollment in different states and possible reasoning.

If you have a question for us, feel free to leave a comment below or via email.

“A tax credit lowers your tax bill dollar for dollar. A deduction shaves money off your taxable income, so the value depends on your tax bracket. If you’re in the 25% bracket, a $1,000 deduction lowers your tax bill by $250. But a $1,000 credit lowers the bill [...]]]> What’s the Difference?

“A tax credit lowers your tax bill dollar for dollar. A deduction shaves money off your taxable income, so the value depends on your tax bracket. If you’re in the 25% bracket, a $1,000 deduction lowers your tax bill by $250. But a $1,000 credit lowers the bill by the full $1,000, no matter in which bracket you are.” (Kimberly Lankford, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance).

In order to decide whether to take advantage of the credit or deduction you need to take a look at first of all if you are eligible for it based off of your income or tax bracket. It’s important for you to know the requirements of the credit or deduction as well as your your own financial circumstance. If you’re not sure, consult a professional because that is when things can get shady.

A tax deduction is used to pay down the amount of taxes you owe at the end of the year and is typically taken from your paycheck. Tax deductions can also be charitable donations, child care, retirement contributions, education tuition, or medical expenses. These deductions lower the amount of taxes you end up paying.

Here are some business related tax deductions:

• startup expenses
• office expenses
• business meals & entertainment
• business travel

A tax credit is subtracted from to amount of taxes owed at the end of the year. Tax credits reduce the amount you owe for exactly what the tax credit is worth. For example, if you have a $1000 tax credit, you save yourself from paying that $1000 of tax. Tax credits can be more valuable since you know whatever dollar amount you are getting, that amount will be subtracted. However, there may be more limitations as to whether you apply for the tax credit or not.

Click here for 11 Common Mistakes That Can Cost You… 

Read about 8 Easy-to-Miss Deductions…

Do I really need it?

What would you do if something happened where [...]]]> Whether you have disability insurance through your employer or you have thought about buying an individual policy, we’ll shed some light on the basics of buying, reviewing your current policy and the difference between group and individual disability insurance.

Do I really need it?

What would you do if something happened where you couldn’t perform your job and earn the paycheck that pays your bills? Many people don’t even like to think about it and just hope for the best. Even that “hope” can be a scary realization because what if something happened that put you out of working and a paycheck for months or even longer? Even if your employer says your covered, it’s worth reviewing the policy because it may not be enough.

Learn more about what disability insurance is, why it’s important, and reviewing your current coverage…

The Basics of Buying Disability Insurance

We insure a lot of things because we can’t imagine what we would do if one day our car was stolen, our house burned down, or if our health faltered. But what about the ability to do our job? You realize the importance of disability insurance but where do you start? It can take a lot of time and research but it’s well worth it when you find the right plan at the right price.

Read on to hear one woman’s experience in the disability insurance maze

Choosing a disability insurance policy can definitely be a maze but that’s what Zinn Insurance is here to help you do! Zinn Insurance listens to your needs, does the research, and presents options to you. Contact Zinn Insurance to set up an appointment.

Comparing Group Disability Insurance to Individual Disability Insurance

Typically an individual policy will offer more coverage for you then a group policy offered by your employer. However, the insurance company has the ability to offer you coverage or deny you all together. This isn’t always a bad thing since it allows the insurance company to have more provisions. An individual disability insurance policy follows you no matter what job you have. Group disability insurance does not follow you to your new job and the majority of them will not provide benefits unless you are completely disabled. Even if that happens, the policy usually only provides about 60% of your income. If you are part of a group disability plan, review it and understand what your coverage is. You can always take action on your own with an individual policy to be able to make up for what your group policy is missing.

It’s important to take a look at your savings, spending, and income to be aware of how quickly your savings could dwindle if you suddenly could not work to receive a paycheck. Disability insurance can put any worries to rest. Understand your policy and what your benefits are in case the unexpected happens.

Click here to learn more about what to look for in your policy…